Reciprocating multiple conductor support

ABSTRACT

A horizontally reciprocating mechanism, including a plurality of attached, flexible conduits or conductors for carrying electricity, air or oil essential to operating certain devices, e.g. motors, and air and hydraulic cylinders, carried by the mechanism. A plurality of specially configured blocks or wearing shoes are secured to the conductors in spaced relation to maintain the conductors in a predetermined arrangement as they move along a horizontal pathway in response to reciprocation of the mechanism.

[ Aug. 14, 1973 United States Patent [191 Elder 77 C c H55 ss wvvw 33 i1 Mm m M an e e kmk r r ewe MSM 3476 6666 9999 HHHH 4272 1 5540 3035 .2 5 23 8633 3333 [73] Assignee: The Firestone Tire & Rubber FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Company, Akron, Ohio July 24, 1972 Appl. No.: 274,370

672,919 3/1966 191/12 673,696 11/1963 l9l/l2 [22] Filed:

Primary Examiner-Samuel Scott Attorney-S. M. Clark Related U.S. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 836,410, June 25, 1969,

[57] ABSTRACT A horizontally reciprocating mechanism,

abandoned.

including a plurality of attached, flexible conduits or conductors for carrying electricity, air or oil essential to operating certain devices, e.g. motors, and air and hydraulic cylinders, carried by the mechanism. A plurality of specially configured blocks or wearing shoes are secured to the conductors in spaced relation to maintain the conductors in a predetermined arrangement as they move along a horizontal pathway in response to reciprocation of the mechanism.

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191/12 UX 3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures m .H Ur .T n n m e eh k C61. EDK 908 675 999 ll] 822 609 00- 65 646 332 Patented Aug, 14, 1973 3,752,180

INVENTOR FRED a. ELDER V RECIPROCATING MULTIPLE CONDUCTOR SUPPORT This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 836,4l0, filed June 25, 1969, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION- The invention is particularly well suited for use with mechanisms that reciprocate in horizontal planes and carry flexible cables or conductors essential to the operation of devices which they carry. In designing such mechanisms, it is necessary to supply excessive lengths of conductor, if the mechanisms are to operate freely without hindrance. This excessive conductor material becomes a burden. It cannot be left unsupported, because it might become entangled in moving parts and casuse malfunctioning of the mechanism. It is, therefore, generally supported on some type of a horizontal bed or table assembly.

The conductors assume a U-shaped configuration on the bed and move along the bed in response to reciprocation of the mechanism. However, continued rubbing of the conductors against the bed causes extreme wear and before long the conductors must be repaired or replaced. Moreover, in cases where four to five conductors are required, the problems caused by tangled or distorted conductors can become acute. The invention is directed to eliminating these problems by providing a simple mechanical device which holds the conductors together such that they freely move across the bed as a unit.

Briefly stated, the invention is in a system for maintaining a plurality of flexible conductors in predetermined, adjacently disposed, U-shaped relation as they move in unison with a mechanism reciprocable in a generally horizontal plane. The term conductors, as used in the specification and claims, means any flexible cable, hose or conduit used, for example, to conduct electricity or fluids. A flat, horizontal bed with a projecting guide along at least one of its sides or marginal edges, is provided for supporting the conductors. A plurality of spaced blocks or wearing shoes are disposed between the conductors and bed for maintaining the conductors in spaced relation from the bed. Means are provided for clamping the shoes firmly to one of the conductors for unitary movement therewith. Other means are provided for holding the other conductors in partially restrained relation adjacent the shoes, to allow relative movement therebetween when the conductors move with the reciprocating mechanism. Each shoe is provided with a stop for engaging the guide positioned alongside the bed, and means are associated with each shoe for engaging and moving across the bed with relatively little friction therebetween. The shoes maintain the conductors in orderly, untangled and prearranged relation as they move back and forth along the bed in unison with the reciprocating mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The following description of the invention will be better understood by having reference to the annexed drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention and a reciprocating mechanism; and

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a wearing shoe, showing the conductors in side-by-side relation on the shoe.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, there is shown a mechanism used, for example, to position tire ply material 12 on an assembly table 14. The mechanism 10 is provided with pinions 16, which aremovable along corresponding racks 18. The racks 18 are disposed in a horizontal plane. An electric motor 20, mounted on the mechanism 10, is used for driving the pinions 16 along the racks 18.

A vacuum manifold 22 is carried by the mechanism 10 for lifting the ply material 12 and pulling it into position on the table 14. An air pump, not shown, is used for creating a vacuum in the manifold 22.

A bed assembly 26 is mounted below the reciprocating mechanism 10, and positioned such that its longitudinal axis parallels the axis along which the mechanism 10 reciprocates. The bed assembly 26, comprises an elongated, flat, smooth bed 28 with parallel marginal edges 30 and 32. The bed 28 is preferably composed of steel.

A guide or abutment 34 is provided along at least one marginal edge 30 of the bed 28. The guide 34 extends above the plane of the bed 28, and is similarly composed of steel.

A plurality of conductors or rubber hoses 26, 38, 40 and 42 are carried by the mechanism 10 for operating the electric motor 20, conveying air to the vacuum manifold 22, and operating any other devices carried by the reciprocating mechanism 10. The ends of the conductors 36-42 are firmly secured to the mechanism 10 and fixed sources of fluid supply, etc. (not shown). The conductors 36-42 are supported in a horizontal plane on the bed assembly 26. They are preferably disposed in side-by-side relation (FIG. 2) and assume a U- shaped configuration on the bed 28.

- A plurality of similar blocks or wearing shoes 44 are disposed in predetermined spaced relation along the conductors 36-42. The shoes 44 are composed of any suitable material, e.g. wood, and are used to maintain the conductors 36-42 free and clear of the bed 28, or in spaced relation thereto. The space or distance between the shoes 44 is such that the conductors 36-42 will not sag and rub against the bed 28 to cause excessive wear of the conductor coating or material.

Each shoe 44 is L-shaped, comprising an outstanding leg 46 and an upstanding arm 48. The leg 46 acts as a support for the conductors 36-42. The arm 48 acts as a stop for engaging the guide 34 of the bed assembly 26, thereby preventing movement of the conductors 36-42 off the bed 28 as they move therealong.

The leg 46 and arm 48 are each provided with means, e.g. a smooth, hard wearing surface 50, having a low coefficient of friction relative to the material of the bed 28 and guide 34, to reduce the static and sliding friction between the shoe 44 and bed assembly 26. Any suitable material, e.g. plastic, can be used as a coating or surface 50 for the leg 46 and arm 48.

Any suitable means, e.g. metal strap 52, can be used for clamping or securing the shoes 44 to one of the conductors 36-42, preferably the outermost positioned conductor 36, since it is usually longer having a greater radius of curvature. The outermost conductor 36 is utilized as a continuous guide member in the assembly for positioning the shoes 44, to maintain the conductors 36-42 in a preferred arrangement as they bend and move in operating relation with the mechanism 10. Some prior art mechanisms utilize a continuous link chain in much the same manner as the outermost conductor 36 is used. The strap 52 partially surrounds the outermost conductor 26 and holds or clamps it tightly against the upstanding arms 48. The strap 52 is fastened to the shoe 44 by any suitable means, eg. screws 54 and 56.

Any other suitable means, eg metal strap 58, is used for partially restraining the remaining conductors 38-42 against the shoes 44. That is, the strap 58 restricts movement of the conductors 38-42 in a direction away from the leg 46, yet allows the conductors 38-42 to move transversely across the leg 46. The reason for this should be apparent when it is realized that in forming the U-shaped or loop, the conductors 38-42 are shorter in length than the outermost conductor 36, because of their successively smaller radii of curvature. Consequently, each of the conductors 3642 will move differently and relative to each other, especially around the bend indicated at 60. Since the outermost conductor 36 is affixed to the shoes 44, the other conductors 38-42 must be free to move relative to the shoes 44. The metal strap 58 is secured to the shoe 44 by any suitable means, e.g. screws 56 and 62.

The conductors 36-42 have a slight tendency to tip or rotate the shoes 44 as they move around the bend 60. This force is counteracted by extending the legs 46 a sufficient distance beyond the innermost conductor 42 to provide a moment arm, which when multiplied by the weight of the conductors will be sufficient to counterbalance the tipping forces.

Thus, there has been provided a unique system for maintaining a plurality of conductors in a predetermined arrangement as they move in a horizontal plane with a reciprocating mechanism. The system utilizes one of the conductors as a continuous guide member to position a plurality of wearing blocks for holding the remaining conductos in their respective positions.

The invention has been described in relation to a bed assembly 26 with a single guide 34. In restricted areas where the bed 28 must be narrow, in relation to the number of hoses carried by the reciprocating mechanism, a guide 34 would be provided along each marginal edge of the bed 28 to engage the shoes 44 and maintain the hoses in prearranged relation on the bed 28.

What is claimed is:

l. A wearing shoe for maintaining a plurality of flexible conductors parallel in the plane in which they move in response to reciprocation of a mechanism to which the conductors are secured, said shoe comprising:

a. an individual support containing the conductors parallel and at different radii of curvature,

b. means for fastening one of the plurality of conductors to the individual support for unitary movement therewith; and

0. means for holding the other of the plurality of conductors within the support in partially restrained relation to allow relative movement therebetween.

2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the fastening means includes a strap at least partially surrounding the said includes a strap extending about the other of said conductors.

4 l I i 4 

1. A wearing shoe for maintaining a plurality of flexible conductors parallel in the plane in which they move in response to reciprocation of a mechanism to which the conductors are secured, said shoe comprising: a. an individual support containing the conductors parallel and at different radii of curvature, b. means for fastening one of the plurality of conductors to the individual support for unitary movement therewith; and c. means for holding the other of the plurality of conductors within the support in partially restrained relation to allow relative movement therebetween.
 2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the fastening means includes a strap at least partially surrounding the said one conductor.
 3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the holding means includes a strap extending about the other of said conductors. 